Keep up with us on our six month adventure to the other side of the world. We may have very well lost our minds, but that won't keep this from being the trip of a lifetime. We hope you'll join us!
May 17

AND HERE SHE IS…

We’ve spent the past few weeks putting together a slideshow of our trip — from moving out of our apartment in Chicago, right up to our last night in Hong Kong. We thought long and hard about an appropriate song to set our story to and fittingly enough it’s one that we sort of rediscovered during our time in Wanaka.

I can still remember that first day moving into a strange house in this perfect little New Zealand town. We had no idea what we’d gotten ourselves into and who we were going to be living with. I took a look through a CD case that was on the counter to see if I could get a feel for the people we were going to be spending so much time with. The first disc I saw was Skin and Bones, by the Foo Fighters — one of my all time favorite albums. A few minutes later, I had it on the iPod and it’s frequented our airwaves ever since. So here it is, our farewell performance. We hope you enjoy…

Click the square in the bottom right corner of the video to view full screen.

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CLICK THE BOOK … CHECK IT OUT

For those of you who want to take a look through our New Zealand photo book, but got scared off by Blurb’s price (and understandably so) here is the book in its entirety. Just give it a click and then click the left and right pages to scroll through.

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CHEERS … TOO! So this is it. In just over 24 hours Seth and I will be back in Chicago sharing stories and photos of what have certainly been some of the most memorable months of our lives together. It’s hard to put into words how it feels to be coming home and bringing this journey to an end. I’m so excited to see family, friends, our dogs, our new apartment. There is no question about that. But this time abroad has been so amazing for Seth and I, and I will miss it tremendously. For that reason I am so thankful that we kept up this blog. It will serve as a great journal of our time abroad and something we’ll be able to look back on whenever we want to reminisce. It’s also been a wonderful way to share our trip with all of you. We had no idea when we started how many people would loyally follow along with our posts. We’ve loved all your comments, and it certainly helped us stay on top of posts knowing you were reading. So thanks again to everyone. Your support means more than you know. Nothing left to say now but see you soon.

CHEERS … TOO!

So this is it. In just over 24 hours Seth and I will be back in Chicago sharing stories and photos of what have certainly been some of the most memorable months of our lives together. It’s hard to put into words how it feels to be coming home and bringing this journey to an end. I’m so excited to see family, friends, our dogs, our new apartment. There is no question about that. But this time abroad has been so amazing for Seth and I, and I will miss it tremendously.

For that reason I am so thankful that we kept up this blog. It will serve as a great journal of our time abroad and something we’ll be able to look back on whenever we want to reminisce. It’s also been a wonderful way to share our trip with all of you. We had no idea when we started how many people would loyally follow along with our posts. We’ve loved all your comments, and it certainly helped us stay on top of posts knowing you were reading.

So thanks again to everyone. Your support means more than you know. Nothing left to say now but see you soon.

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CHEERS! So that brings us up to date where I sit in the lobby of our lovely Rosedale on the Park Hotel blogging for the last time from outside the states. Odds are we’ll already be back in Chicago by the time most of you read this Monday morning. At any rate, I thought I’d get in my parting shots before our (no doubt much anticipated) finale post. I’m sure Jenny will want to say her goodbye as well, but I just wanted to finish by saying that this has been unarguably one of the most meaningful experiences of my life and I’m not sure it is something we could (or would) have done without the encouragement and support of all our friends and family. Believe me when I say you’ve all been right there with us every step of the way and words cannot express how grateful I am and how lucky I feel. See you Stateside!!!

CHEERS!

So that brings us up to date where I sit in the lobby of our lovely Rosedale on the Park Hotel blogging for the last time from outside the states. Odds are we’ll already be back in Chicago by the time most of you read this Monday morning. At any rate, I thought I’d get in my parting shots before our (no doubt much anticipated) finale post.

I’m sure Jenny will want to say her goodbye as well, but I just wanted to finish by saying that this has been unarguably one of the most meaningful experiences of my life and I’m not sure it is something we could (or would) have done without the encouragement and support of all our friends and family. Believe me when I say you’ve all been right there with us every step of the way and words cannot express how grateful I am and how lucky I feel.

See you Stateside!!!

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LAMMA ISLAND LAST MEAL

LAMMA ISLAND LAST MEAL

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JENNY RECREATING A CHRISTMAS CARD FROM THE EARLY YEARS While we have the majority of today left here in Hong Kong, I think we both feel like yesterday was our actual last day. We went over to the other side of Hong Kong Island to Repulse Bay, where Jenny and her family lived when she was a little girl. I got to see her old apartment building and get a feel for the area that holds so many fond memories for her. We also went to the Stanley Market I had been hearing so much about and found some nice last minute souvenirs. After that, we checked out the Fisherman’s Shrine which is a very elaborate set of mosaic statues right on the water. Really beautiful. It is also where one of the Immel’s early Christmas cards was taken and Jenny got to recreate at least a part of it. After that we took a ferry over to Lamma Island and went on an hour or so walk from one side of the island to the other. There where we enjoyed a wonderful last meal of salt & pepper prawns, calamari, scallops, and some other local cuisine. It was the perfect meal and the perfect setting for us to reflect together and soak it all in one last time.

JENNY RECREATING A CHRISTMAS CARD FROM THE EARLY YEARS

While we have the majority of today left here in Hong Kong, I think we both feel like yesterday was our actual last day. We went over to the other side of Hong Kong Island to Repulse Bay, where Jenny and her family lived when she was a little girl. I got to see her old apartment building and get a feel for the area that holds so many fond memories for her. We also went to the Stanley Market I had been hearing so much about and found some nice last minute souvenirs.

After that, we checked out the Fisherman’s Shrine which is a very elaborate set of mosaic statues right on the water. Really beautiful. It is also where one of the Immel’s early Christmas cards was taken and Jenny got to recreate at least a part of it. After that we took a ferry over to Lamma Island and went on an hour or so walk from one side of the island to the other. There where we enjoyed a wonderful last meal of salt & pepper prawns, calamari, scallops, and some other local cuisine. It was the perfect meal and the perfect setting for us to reflect together and soak it all in one last time.

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DRUMROLL PLEASE…

Only one more day of blogging abroad, and that means our grand finale post will be coming to a monitor near you tomorrow. Holy crap! TOMORROW!!! It really has been a blast and we hope you enjoy our overseas sign off in the morning.

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DAY AFTER TOMORROW “Day after tomorrow.” Such a common phrase. We throw it around all the time. “Let’s meet for drinks day after tomorrow.” “That new movie comes out day after tomorrow.” “I’ve got a big test day after tomorrow.” I’ve used those words without so much as a second thought my whole life, but today they seem to have more weight to them. We get home day after tomorrow. A Hong Kong buffer between New Zealand and our return to Chicago was supposed to be the chance to ease back into reality instead of diving right in. It’s been more like a slow walk into a cold ocean and hearing “day after tomorrow” used to reference plans we have in Chicago was that first wave to hit above the belly button. I mean c’mon, you can pretty accurately predict the weather that far out. I find myself now in some sort of strange and uncomfortable daze with more thoughts than I can keep organized — reflecting on what has been and anxious about what’s to come.

DAY AFTER TOMORROW

“Day after tomorrow.” Such a common phrase. We throw it around all the time. “Let’s meet for drinks day after tomorrow.” “That new movie comes out day after tomorrow.” “I’ve got a big test day after tomorrow.” I’ve used those words without so much as a second thought my whole life, but today they seem to have more weight to them. We get home day after tomorrow.

A Hong Kong buffer between New Zealand and our return to Chicago was supposed to be the chance to ease back into reality instead of diving right in. It’s been more like a slow walk into a cold ocean and hearing “day after tomorrow” used to reference plans we have in Chicago was that first wave to hit above the belly button. I mean c’mon, you can pretty accurately predict the weather that far out. I find myself now in some sort of strange and uncomfortable daze with more thoughts than I can keep organized — reflecting on what has been and anxious about what’s to come.

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NICE RACK! After a long day of theme parkin’ in the hot sun, followed by drinks at the hotel, followed by drinks on a boat, we decided to take our drinking out to Lan Kwai Fong, one of Hong Kong’s best spots for nightlife. Let’s call it their version of Bourbon Street just to set the stage. We grabbed a couple of drinks, walked around the area checking out bars and people watching, and shortly after decided to call it a day. Little did we know that the evening was about to take a dramatic turn for the worse. Now keep in mind that Jenny and I have basically been attached at the hip for over five months now. We could literally count on our fingers the number of hours spent apart since Christmas, and by apart I mean one of us on the other side of the room. We’ve spent weeks … months in tents and cars and tiny hostel rooms without a single incident worth mentioning, but not this night. Just two days shy of our return to Chicago and at the end of a near perfect day, and near perfect trip, Jenny spotted a (or should I say “another”) rack of dresses on our walk back to the hotel. A rack of dresses that she really wanted me to take an interest in. I don’t know if it was that last beer, or the heat, or nearing the end of our trip, or just sheer stupidity (pretty sure the latter) but I felt I had been asked “this one? or this one?” one too many times and my self-edit button went on the fritz. Instead of smiling, pointing and saying “that one” a few more times before a good night’s sleep, I found myself on a nice little rant in the middle of a crowded street. A rant that turned into a back and forth that turned into a full blown argument that lasted the better part of our tram ride home. Those of you who know me best have probably still never seen me in a bad mood. It’s about as frequent leap year, but when it comes around I put on an Oscar worthy performance of self-righteous and sarcastic a-hole who doesn’t know when to shut his trap. You were wondering why I have a photo of said rack? Well, obviously in my commitment to the role I had to put on a nice photo shoot mocking my own enthusiasm. I’m pretty sure if her brother’s wedding wasn’t in a week, Jenny would have gladly let me have a black eye for my Hong Kong souvenir. Word of advice guys, however sincere you are trying to be, “I - honestly - don’t - care!!!” is not ever gonna be an acceptable (or intelligent) answer — no matter how long you draw out each word. Luckily, we woke up this morning still legally bound to each other and decided to leave the night of May 15th in the history books where it belongs. We then celebrated our rekindled love by spending the day — you guessed it — shopping. And I’m almost positive I can tell you the thread count of every dress she tried on today.

NICE RACK!

After a long day of theme parkin’ in the hot sun, followed by drinks at the hotel, followed by drinks on a boat, we decided to take our drinking out to Lan Kwai Fong, one of Hong Kong’s best spots for nightlife. Let’s call it their version of Bourbon Street just to set the stage. We grabbed a couple of drinks, walked around the area checking out bars and people watching, and shortly after decided to call it a day. Little did we know that the evening was about to take a dramatic turn for the worse.

Now keep in mind that Jenny and I have basically been attached at the hip for over five months now. We could literally count on our fingers the number of hours spent apart since Christmas, and by apart I mean one of us on the other side of the room. We’ve spent weeks … months in tents and cars and tiny hostel rooms without a single incident worth mentioning, but not this night. Just two days shy of our return to Chicago and at the end of a near perfect day, and near perfect trip, Jenny spotted a (or should I say “another”) rack of dresses on our walk back to the hotel. A rack of dresses that she really wanted me to take an interest in. I don’t know if it was that last beer, or the heat, or nearing the end of our trip, or just sheer stupidity (pretty sure the latter) but I felt I had been asked “this one? or this one?” one too many times and my self-edit button went on the fritz. Instead of smiling, pointing and saying “that one” a few more times before a good night’s sleep, I found myself on a nice little rant in the middle of a crowded street. A rant that turned into a back and forth that turned into a full blown argument that lasted the better part of our tram ride home.

Those of you who know me best have probably still never seen me in a bad mood. It’s about as frequent leap year, but when it comes around I put on an Oscar worthy performance of self-righteous and sarcastic a-hole who doesn’t know when to shut his trap. You were wondering why I have a photo of said rack? Well, obviously in my commitment to the role I had to put on a nice photo shoot mocking my own enthusiasm. I’m pretty sure if her brother’s wedding wasn’t in a week, Jenny would have gladly let me have a black eye for my Hong Kong souvenir. Word of advice guys, however sincere you are trying to be, “I - honestly - don’t - care!!!” is not ever gonna be an acceptable (or intelligent) answer — no matter how long you draw out each word.

Luckily, we woke up this morning still legally bound to each other and decided to leave the night of May 15th in the history books where it belongs. We then celebrated our rekindled love by spending the day — you guessed it — shopping. And I’m almost positive I can tell you the thread count of every dress she tried on today.

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AQUA LUNA BOAT After Ocean Park we rested up back at the hotel and then made good on part two of the Sarah and Richard Christmas present — an hour long boat ride in Hong Kong harbor. The boat is a gorgeous Chinese junk with three giant red sails that you can’t miss out on the water. We had some drinks on board and took in the night skyline again. If you ever get the chance, it isn’t something you should pass up. Thanks again Sarah and Richard!

AQUA LUNA BOAT

After Ocean Park we rested up back at the hotel and then made good on part two of the Sarah and Richard Christmas present — an hour long boat ride in Hong Kong harbor. The boat is a gorgeous Chinese junk with three giant red sails that you can’t miss out on the water. We had some drinks on board and took in the night skyline again. If you ever get the chance, it isn’t something you should pass up. Thanks again Sarah and Richard!